There was general support Tuesday night for the indoor riding facility being proposed by the Yukon Agricultural Association (YAA).

The desired location, as well as the $3-million scope of the project, which the association has so far spent $42,000 studying, was not so cut-and-dry, however.

Some 40 or more were in attendance at the Hootalinqua Fire Hall across from the Takhini Hot Springs Road for a constituency meeting hosted by Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers. The association's proposal was the main topic on the agenda.

It's a facility whose time has come, it was widely held.

But, the meeting heard, are taxpayers being asked to fund a project for the benefit of a few horse owners when, not too long ago, the government was having trouble finding money to by an MRI unit for the Whitehorse General Hospital?

What's being proposed, emphasized solid supporters of an indoor riding arena, is a recreational facility not unlike the Mount Sima Ski Hill, or the new $42-million multiplex.

What's being proposed is a new alternative for children and families who do not have a horse nor the means to keep one, but would dearly love the opportunity to ride.

What's being proposed is a facility that could enhance the level of therapeutic riding for individuals with mental disorders, as therapeutic riding has proved itself as a benefit in that area, it was said.

Such a facility would not just be a benefit to the riding community, but to the community at large, just as the relatively young ski hill has given rise to a strong downhill skiing and snowboarding community, it was suggested.

'I think the time has come for a project like this, and I think if it is built, it will grow in leaps and bounds,' said Sharman Harvey. The born-and-raised Yukoner expects that if an indoor pool had been proposed 40 years ago, it might have encountered the same type or resistance.

'If it is built, the kids will come and their families will come.'

But supporters also suggested it was perhaps to elaborate on the association's $3-million proposal. It includes indoor and outdoor arenas, rodeo facilities, a caretaker's home, one-kilometre track, campground and fairgrounds, and room for future development.

Scaling down the proposal to just an indoor riding arena with parking would require a much smaller parcel of land than the 45.45 hectares (100 acres) the agricultural association is currently seeking inside the Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest.

Requiring a smaller parcel would open up options to locate the facility somewhere other than in the research forest, which some felt should be left alone to serve the Yukon as it was intended to.

Others, however, believed that in 40 years as a research area, not a whole lot has gone inside the fenced 243 hectares (600 acres) situated at the corner of the Takhini Hot Springs Road and North Klondike Highway.

But just because you can't see the work in progress doesn't mean nothing is going on, said Debbie Butler, who uses the area for search and rescue training.

'It is sort of like the shoemaker and the elves there is activity going on but you just don't see it.'

Mark Evans-Ehricht said by their own admission, former employees of the federal forestry branch who went over to the Yukon government with devolution in 2003 said Ottawa wasn't always quick with the dollars to support the research activities.

Nonetheless, he pointed out, there is a surprising amount of international research underway.

And with the transfer of responsibility for forestry from Ottawa to the Yukon under devolution, including ownership of the research area, the Yukon government has indicated genuine interest in using the area for more research, he said.

'I think they should have a chance to use that land for whatever it is suppose to be used for before you start cutting it up,' Evans-Ehricht told the meeting.

But paring down the proposal to a riding arena only, it was also suggested by some, might make the proposal compatible for a home inside the research forest because of significantly reduced impact.

Dave Andrew, the association's vice-president who has been contracted to drive the project, pointed out to the audience that the association is not the only body to express interest in the area.

The territory's agricultural branch is looking for 20 hectares, and the Yukon government wants 45 ha to establish walking trails and a public use area with access to the Takhini River, Andrew said.

The Kwanlin Dun First Nation, it was pointed out, received title to a 116-ha block from the original 365-ha research area through the land claim process, and there's been talk of the first nation using it for a residential subdivision.

'There is a lot of things going on beyond this application that nobody has focused on,' Andrew said of other interests in the area.

The $20,000-feasibility study prepared by local consultant Dave Loeks indicates the research forest is the best location because of its ability to fulfill the 45-ha request, for topography and proximity to downtown.

Two other sites were given consideration for the purposes of the feasibility study. A 60-ha site across the road from the Yukon Wildlife Preserve was deemed too far from downtown while a 45-plus ha area at the base of Haeckel Hill was questionable because of debatable drainage issues.

The agricultural association's application is scheduled to go before the Yukon's land application review committee at 9:30 Thursday morning.

Lake Laberge resident Hugh Monaghan noted that while Kwanlin Dun received title to an area inside the old research area, the Ta'an Kwach'an Council of Lake Laberge was denied title. But the denial came with the assurances from Canada and the Yukon government that the area would be kept for forest research purposes, Monaghan pointed out.

He asked what sort of message would be sent if the territory were to start dividing up the area for uses other than research.

What sort of position would that put the Yukon Party government in, he asked the Yukon Party MLA.

'So I am just a little concerned about the fickleness of public policy here,' he said. He also wondered if the green space in his neighbourhood that was protected from the Ta'an land selection is now open for land use applications.

Cathers said it's not his role to get involved with the affairs of other governments.

'My ultimate duty is to represent my constituents, even if it is at odds with other governments,' he said.

Cathers opened the meeting with assurances that he was not there with his mind made up, and with assurances that his Yukon Party government has not made a decision on the matter.

The purpose of the meeting, he said, was to gain input and generate discussion, to be understand what his constituency is seeking.

There was also some question about the accuracy of the estimated $27,000-operating and maintenance cost but the feasibility consultant maintained the estimate was sound.

The study indicates the project is feasible if the land is free, and the entire capital works is paid for, leaving the association with no debt and only the annual operating cost.

Andrew told the audience it was his recollection that building the riding arena alone and not the rest of the proposed exhibition and fairgrounds would cost $1.5 million.

Association president Cliff Hanna indicated in an interview last week the board of directors would like to start construction this year.

Though there has been some concern raised publicly about the appearance of an executive member of the association receiving the contract to manage the project for 10 per cent of the overall project cost, the issue was not raised at last night's meeting.